Merchant¬'s House Museum Announces Holiday Events

This holiday season, the Merchant's House Museum (NYC's "best-preserved" mid-19th century home) again time travels back 100 years to celebrate Christmas in the 1950s -- when the traditional American Christmas hit its mass-produced, post-War-prosperous peak. The halls will be retro-decked with an authentic tinsel tree trimmed with bubble lights and vintage ornaments; molded-plastic, lit-from-within Santas, Rudolphs, and Frostys; iconic Lefton "Holly" china and vintage holiday cooking paraphernalia; toys (Mr. Potato Head! Cooti! Slinky! Tinkertoys!), and Christmas cards.

Strains of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" will drift through the House. The exhibit will feature Deb O'Nair's extensive vintage holiday collection.

Many of the quintessential Christmas celebrations that we associate with the 1950s – trimming trees, singing carols, sending cards, exchanging presents, and holiday feasting – had their roots in the mid-19th century. And the 1950s gave rise to a number of new traditions in their own right. Learn how the holiday innovations of the 1850s created and inspired the traditions of the 1950s when you visit the exhibition; toast the season at the "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 12; swing to the rhythms of carols and songs from 1850 to 1950 at a concert by the Tinseltones on Saturday, December 22; or celebrate the New Year, '50s style, at the annual New Year's Day Open House on Tuesday, January 1.

Event Details

Exhibition: From Candlelight to Bubble Light: A 1950s Christmas in an 1850s HomeDates: Thursday, December 6, through Monday, January 7Time: Noon to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesday & Wednesday)Location: Merchant's House Museum, 29 East Fourth Street (btwn Lafayette & Bowery)Description: The halls of the 1850s Merchant's House will be retro-decked with vintage trees, over-the-tinsel-top decorations, and holiday memorabilia from the golden age of Christmas, while strains of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" drift through the House. Indulge in the nostalgia of Christmas past and see how the holiday innovations of the 1850s became the traditions of the 1950s - and today.From the Collection of Deb O'Nair. Included with regular admission, $10, $5 Students & Seniors.

New Year's Day Open HouseDate: Tuesday, January 1Time: 3 to 6 p.m.Location: Merchant's House Museum, 29 East Fourth Street (btwn Lafayette & Bowery)Description: Come follow the centuries-old New York tradition of paying New Year's Day calls, this year with a vintage-twist. Take a tour of the 1850s Merchant's House Museum, retro-decked with 1950s ornaments and memorabilia, enjoy a cup of holiday punch and canapés in the cozy period kitchen, take a walking tour of the neighborhood, and enter our raffle. Featuring the collection of Deb O'Nair.$20, MHM Members $10. Reservations required; to purchase tickets visit www.merchantshouse.org/calendar or call 212-777-1089.